St. Landry democrat., 1887-01-29
AUSTRIA-HUNGARY,
Tho System of Government in Force Ia
the Great Dual Nonarc,,y

Ihe System of Government in Force In
the Great Dual Monarchy.
VI the two great empires which are
now confronting each other with a con.
slant threat of war in Eastern Europe.
much is known about Russia, and but
little in this country about Austria
Hungary. Yet both thu history and
the present condition of Austria-Hun-
gary are full Of deep interest for those
whose tastes lead them to enjoy the
study of nations and political systems.
AS the very name implies, AustrSa-Hun-
gary IS dual monarchy; that is, two
monarchies combined into one hv a
common tie. There is only one other
monarchy Of the sort in the world, that
Of Sweden and Norway. which two
countries are still more distinct from
each other than are Austria and Hun.
gary, for they have no common govern.
ment whatever.
Austria, that part of the Empire
which lies west of the River Leitha, and
Hungary, which lies east of that river.
torn each kingdom entirely by itself.
The chief tie between them is the fact
that the same person is the sovereign
of both. The Emperor of Austria is
also King of Hungary, and is crowned
both at Vienna, the Austrian capital
and also at Buda-Pesth, the Hungarian
capital. But otherwise each Kingdom
has its separate Parliament, and its own
Cabinet, or Ministry. Each makes its |
own laws, imposes and collects its own |
taxes, and manages its own pub |
tic affairs. In each kingdom, too,
the Cabinet is responsible to the two
bodies which constitute the national |
legislature. There is, however, an ar
rangement by which the two kingdoms
act IN concert as one Empire, in regard
to all matters of political moment COM
non to them both. This arrangement
consists of body which is called the
Delegations. The Delegations are
composed of sixty delegates from each
'ingdom, chosen by the Parliaments
Who meet every year alternately at the
wo capitals, and deliberate upon sub
ects OF Imperial concern. Those sub
ects are foreign affairs, finance and
military administration. Correspond
ne to the Delegations, and responsible
Q them, is an Imperial Cabinet, which
only three Ministers. The
rst OF these Ministers is at the head of
he department of foreign affairs. The
Their two Ministers hold the portfolios
war and finance. The power of the
imperial Government, as such, is con-
ned, therefore, to diplomatic relations
18th other powers, the management of
le army and the conduct of wars. and
he financial measures needed for these
apartments.
Austrla-Hungary was for many cen
lrles despotism as hard and as abso-
tie as is that of Russia to-day. But |
yenty years ago, as result of its over
helming defeat by the Prussians, it q
'came constitutional monarchy. The
nperor ceased to be absolute: Minis v
rs were made responsible to the rep.
of the people; and the peo- L
were admitted to very large share d
the control of the Government. As |,
result of this happy change the Aus u
an peoples were accorded liberty of Ii
eech and conscience, free press,
'edom OF marriage and education,
widely extended suffrage. An entire 81
new career was opened to them as y
e OF the great nations of Europe.
imposed as the empire is, of many d
terent, jealous, antagonistic races, of
itch the Germans, Magyars, Czechs "
d Slavs are the chief, the task of d
ldlng them together us one nation d
5 been difficult. But the attainment Il
political freedom by these people has
sened the difficulty. The Emperor III
$ never so secure of his dominions "
en- he was an absolute despot as he 81
been since he gave up large por- r
n of his power, and shared it with
subjects. The Austro-Hungarian ,
lpire may not be long-lasting; but -: ~
) certain that it would have fallen to III
ces long ago if despotism had not
n abandoned, and if free constitu- W
l had not been granted. YoutA's
npanson. oo
An absent-minded lad rushed into ho
Il apf-arb offica Ta1 III